Sad news comes from Mistress Sofya la Rus of the passing of Master William Fletcher of Carbery

Having earned both the Boga-Hirth for his prowess in archery, and the Order of the Pelican for his extensive service to the young archers of Calontir, Master William was well loved by the people of the Heartland.

William leaves behind his lady wife, Mistress Juliana Macnayre , his daughter Lady Avelyn Carberry. and son Sean.

 

 

 

Rejoice, Calontir! Exalt in the works of your people, the fruits of their labor, and the glory of their efforts. Rejoice especially in the diverse efforts of those who have long set their hearts to the education of others, for whom it is said ‘gladly would he learn, and gladly teach.’ For without those who will teach others, the plays would end and the respites stop and all the world be a darker place for it.

One such eager teacher is the good and faithful servant William Fletcher of Carbery. Apt named arrow artist, years toiling on the field have produced this faithful fletcher’s crop: Archers aplenty, arrows alighted, joyous laughter following. His good deeds never done for fame, but for the joy of a target struck.

Teacher of children, bearer of bolts, wise and true subject of the Falcon; to him do Anton and Yseult now give new feathers, as a Companion of the Order of the Pelican. Its beak as sharp as what he sets in his quiver, its service as dear to the Heartland as he.

Let to his lands a small forest be given, a grove of good wood; strong Oak and Pine. That his shafts may be stronger, his handles heartier, and the joy of the Kingdom increased by its grant

The Arms of Countess Caillin MacKenzie

Good gentles of the Heartland, we have lost one of the fairest Roses of Calontir. Countess Caillin MacKenzie passed from this life of February 27, AS LVII. Countess Caillin was Winter Queen of Calontir in AS XLII. Caillin was gracious both on the throne off, and her smile was a source brilliance in our Kingdom. As we prepare for Gulf Wars, let us pause to remember this remarkable lady.

When Caillin came to the SCA, she soon found a passion for the art of cookery. She quickly earned renown as cook of unprecedented talent, and received her arms from King Martino I and Queen Ariel I in the summer of AS XXXVII as a Companion to the Order of the Leather Mallet. Her service in feasthall and her service to our Society came to the attention of King Joseph Angus I and Queen Phaedra I who awarded Caillin Companionship to the Order of the Torse on September 20 AS XXXVIII.

Countess Caillin’s efforts were not limited to cookery and service. She donned armor and joined the Falcon Army and gained renown on the field of battle. King Tristram I and Queen Katrine saw her worth to the Falcon Host and invested her a Fyrdman of the Order of the Iren-Fyrd in March of AS XXXIX.  Caillin was a bastion in the Calontir Army and fought with valor and honor. Her deeds on the field came to the notice of King Semjaka and Queen Xorazne who awarded Caillin the distinguished Order of the Sword of Calontir in August of XLI. During her time as Princess and Queen, Caillin fought alongside her army.

Through all, she continued to develop her culinary skills and learning of period cookery.  King Seridan and Queen Sile II recognized her talent and knowledge and welcomed Caillin into the Order of the Silver Hammer in July of AS XXIX. On May 6, AS XLI, Tristram of Lindesfarne carried Caillin’s favor onto the Crown Tournament field in Spinning Winds and emerged victorious. Tristram and Caillin reigned as the 46th Crown of Calontir, and the days of their reign are legendary. As a countess and Companion to the Order of the Rose, Caillin continued her growth as a leader amongst the cooks of Calontir. She taught any who asked the craft of the kitchen, and the Order of the Laurel, King Angelo, and Queen Jane invited her into that order on November 17, AS XLII.

The duties of life brought Caillin to move to Gleann Abhainn. Her absence was noticed by friends who missed her bright smile, her hospitality, and her gracious demeanor. As she enters into her final rest, Calontir sends her family the love and support of the Heartland. As Queen, peer, and generous person, she touched the lives of many in Calontir. She will be greatly missed. Countess Caillin is survived by her husband, Laim Mackenzue, their children and step-children, and Duke Eringlen, her brother. May her memory be a comfort to all thos to whom she was close.

“Rosa semper floret in cordibus nostris“ – The rose will forever bloom in our hearts

Fyrd Countess Caillin

Caillin 46th Queen of Calontir

Sing “Non-Nobis”

The Arms of THL Toke Ormsson

The skalds at Bragi’s hall have called one of our own to his final home. There is one less voice raised in the Falcon Host this day. Calontir grieves at the passing of the Honorable Lord Toke Ormsson. Let us all pause and raise a horn at the lost of this remarkable man.

Toke has been part of our Kingdom for many, many years. Toke found our Society in the earliest days of the Kings of Queens of Calontir. In his time, he saw almost every Calontir Crown come and go. Early on, he took the path of the skald to remember the history of our Kingdom and to entertain its folk. Evenings would often find Toke sitting around the fire sharing his wisdom and telling the tales of the Old Days. He was known for encouraging new members of the Bardic College and formed many close friendships there.

Toke was first awarded arms by King Voelkmar and Queen Isadorra on a snowy day in February AS XXV. His skill as a bard earned Toke Companionship within the Order of Golden Swan from King Conn and Queen Cadfael. King Rorik and Queen Morganna brought him to their court to award a Leather Mallet in recognition of Toke’s talent for making liquers. These same Royals saw the service Toke Ormmson provided and recobnized this service with a Torse. The long summer nights at Lilies will seem to pass more slowly without the stories and anecdotes the Honourable Lord Toke shared. 

THL Toke served his shire and his Kingdom as a fighter and an officer. King Duncan I and Queen Ylva I recognized both his spear and his labors with Companionship within the Orders of the Iren-Fyrd and the Cross of Calontir. His service to the Equestrian Community helped to bring Toke the attention of the Order of the Cross. The fruits of his service are born out by the thriving community of riders that he helped to build in Calontir.

The Honourable Lord Toke Ormmson passed from this life on February 1, AS LVII and is survived by his wife of many years, the Honorable Lady Katrin and his sons Sir Erik and Master Orren. May they and all of the rest of their family feel the love of Calontir as the wings of our Falcon enfold them.  

“Now there is silence where once there was singing.
Cold is the fire that called us this night.”

-Words by Master Mikal Hrafspa called the Ram

Sing Non-Nobis

THL Toke Ormsson

THL Toke with a Steed

THL Toke Ormsson

The Arms of Master Wilhelm von Lich – Image Courtesy of the Memorial Shield Project – SCA

For many years, the legacy of Calontir has been preserved with images so that we can remember the important events in our lives. Master Wilhelm von Lich was a leader among the Calontir Civilian Press Corps, and he could often be seen taking pictures of the happenings at our events.

Today, Calontir mourns his loss. Master Wilhelm von Lich passed from this life on December 6, AS LVII.

Master Wilhelm was a kind man who loved serving his Kingdom. With his sharp eye and his camera, he gave us the photos of our Calontir journeys. Master Wilhelm also served Calontir as a Chiurgeon and was recognized as a leader amongst our care-givers. His service as a Chiurgeon brought him recognition from Their Majesties King Damien I and Queen Issabell I. Those same Royals elevated Wilhelm to the Order of the Pelican during their second reign.

Calontir will remember his smile, his gentle courtesy, and the many contributions he made to our Kingdom over the years. May his friends and family find comfort in their time of grief and may they feel the love this Kingdom had for Wilhelm.

“Oculus qui meminit” – The eye that remembers

Master Wilhelm von Lich’s images may be viewed here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vilhelm_lich_photostream/albums

Sing Non Nobis!

The Arms of Mistress Marie – Image courtesy of the Memorial Shield Project – SCA

Fyrdmen raise your weapons to honor the passing of one of brethren. Mistress Marie of Cologne passed from this life on August 27th, 2022.

Marie was known for her kindness, generosity of spirit, and service to archers of Calontir. Whenever arrows were loosed on the archery range, Marie was often there. She was recognized as a Companion to the Order of the Boga-Hirth by King Joe Angus and Queen Phaedra in AS XXXVIII (2003). Her work in service to Archery, the Kingdom, and the SCA were recognized by King Martino and Queen Ariel in AS XLIV (2009) with Companionship into the Order of the Calon Cross. King Duncan and Queen Ylva admitted Marie into the Order of the Pelican in AS LI (2016).

To her friends, Marie was known for kindness and her support of the people of Calontir. Many remarked on her giving nature and how Marie had helped them when they were new to SCA. King Donnegal awarded Marie the King’s Favor in AS XLVIII (2013) for her generosity. May her kindness of spirit live on in all the lives she touched. Mistress Marie of Cologne will be missed at the Archery Range and throughout Calontir.

“Cor et Servitium” – Heart and Service

Master Thomas escorts Mistress into Court for the announcement of her Pelican

Sing Non Nobis!

On February 15th, Lady Jutte Roose van der Brugghe of Heraldshill (aka Royse Meingnes) died surrounded by her family after a battle with leukemia complicated by Covid.

From her daughter, Saerlaith ingen Chaicher: “Today is a very sad day in our family. Ruth Thorson, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a friend has sadly passed away. She left us today after a very tough battle. We were able to see her and tell her that we loved her dearly before she took the leap into the great unknown. We are all better for knowing her and enjoying the small and great pleasures that she gave us. She was always there to kiss a boo boo or when things were tough for us to help us through our troubles. There are tough days ahead knowing that there is a great hole in our hearts that nothing can fill. All we can do is live on and honor her until the day that we can meet again and wrap our arms around her again. I miss you mom already.”

Jutte’s device, “Or on a bend engrailed purpure three roses Or”, was inspired by her love of roses and her three children.

Her first event was Gulf Wars: “TBT -March 2005 – My first contact with Calontir and SCA. Daughter pleaded with me to attend Gulf Wars with her. You didn’t know me but immediately invited me in and put a plate of food and a tankard of something in my hands. Most generous and fun group of people I had ever met! Been a card-carrying member ever since. Huzzah Calontir!”

The next spring, Jutte joined the ranks of wet and cold Hillians for Military History Days in Charles City, Iowa. “I can’t remember feeling more cold, wet, and miserable in my whole life! And it was a blast! I felt so proud showing my hometown what my Shire represents and what we do.”

Jutte’s favorite part of the SCA was the fellowship she enjoyed with the other members.  Many was the time you could find her milling through the merchants ostensibly checking on her merchant husband, Thorir, sharing coffee and cribbage at Odyssey Coffee, sitting around the campfire sampling the many fine potables made by fellow SCAdians, or telling one of her many “…there I was” stories.

“Just read a comment from another kingdom’s FB page. The person was asking about language that would be confusing to a newcomer. Brought back memories of the very first comments that I heard at my very first meeting. Two people were laughing and discussing how a fighter slid down a hill on his “scutum”. I misheard and couldn’t figure out what was so funny about what must have been a painful expedience. I still smile at that memory.”

Jutte enjoyed creating new garb, drumming, embroidery, needlework, stained glass and wire weaving. At Lilies War 2006 she stayed in a period pavilion of her own devising: a circular brown pavilion with gold trim all around the edge.  “When you try to explain to non-SCAers about camping, they usually groan and say negative things. They don’t understand. When I camp, I like comfort. I like to be able to sit in my little home away from home on a rainy day and relax… I made it myself using a 12-foot market umbrella from Sam’s. I think the whole thing cost me $125! Couldn’t afford store-bought, but it was cozy. Some people just put up their tent, throw in the bed and the ice-chest and go. Not me, even though I have gotten some groans and head-shaking from hubby about all the extra stuff.”

Jutte suffered an unfortunate shock during that same Lilies War when she witnessed her son, Iames, die in battle for the first time. “Aaach…but it was a wee wound and he was resurrected! What mother could ask for more!”

She tried archery, but it turned out that somehow, even though she was right-handed, she was left-eye dominant so that didn’t work out so well.  Jutte enjoyed the research aspect of the SCA the most, including researching her Scottish and Flemish personas.  “If I am on a quest to try something new, I enjoy spending hours finding out more about it.” About the only thing that she had no desire to do was to cook. “Nope, don’t want to. Can’t make me!” And yet when we did make her, the outcome was delicious.  Her Viking fløtbrød was especially addicting.

Jutte officially served her Shire and Kingdom as a voice herald, event steward, list mistress and group seneschal, but she served in so many other ways great and small.  From Brigida von München, “I know I have a lot of wonderful friends, but I need to single out Jutte van der Brugghe, Juliana Macnayre, and Anastasia da Carrara.  I had asked Jutte to revive her bookmaking skills for my [Pelican] ceremony on Saturday. She made the book and did the illumination, Juliana did the lovely leatherwork, and Stasi did the lovely calligraphy…   Ladies, know that I’m stunned by your work and collaboration!”

The family is planning a memorial in the spring.